UEFA Foundation for Children

We greatly appreciate the remarkable work of our partner Red Deporte in Zambia. This new sports centre will empower thousands of children to thrive in a healthy and supportive environment, paving the way for a brighter future. Thank you and congratulations on this transformative achievement! ???

Another meaningful episode of our mission took place last week. With our partner Association Rêves Suisse, the dream of eight-year-old Enzo came true in Zurich. The little warrior battling leukemia dreamed of meeting the Swiss football team, and with stars in his eyes, he experienced an amazing day. Alongside the journalists, including David Lemos, Enzo attended a press conference before being privileged to attend a private training session. He then met coach Murat Yakin and many players including his favorites; Granite Xhaka and Breel Embolo. A VIP tour of the Letzigrund Stadium made that dream come true. Our dreamer attended the match between Switzerland and Serbia, a last spark to illuminate these unforgettable moments and strengthen his strength for the rest of his fight.

?? To promote a common understanding and language regarding safe sport and safeguarding, Project BESST introduces the term "transgressive behavior" as a universal concept. This term encompasses all harmful practices and behaviors within sports, addressing actions that cross personal, professional, legal, or ethical boundaries, whether intentional or not. Many still find it challenging to recognize these issues in the sports community. Our?#SafeSportSunday?Campaign aims to raise awareness about their impact on everyone—athletes, coaches, and others involved. Creating a safer sports environment starts with YOU! ?? Learn more, access our toolkit, and join the?#SafeSportSunday?campaign at www.besst-safesport.eu ?? @ignitx.sports @hogeschoolwindesheim @akademijarudihiti @nocnsf @sloveniaolympicteam #SafeSportSunday?#BeTheChange?#BESST?#Safeguarding?#SafeSportEdited?·?11m

Champions League rivals team up for community benefit ? Teamwork makes the dream work! #UCL rivals SL Benfica and Feyenoord Rotterdam N.V. joined forces in Lisbon to create special memories for children and disabled players ahead of their match this week! ?? ?? Coaches from the Feyenoord Foundation joined @fundacaobenfica to deliver community programmes that use the power of the beautiful game for social development. Read more: https://rb.gy/5221vn

The 2024 UEFA Foundation for Children Award allowed us to support projects recommended by UEFA member associations. One of the 18 projects that received the UEFA Foundation for Children award in 2024 was "Zona Luce", a project promoted by the FIGC - Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio and the Fondazione Pontificia Scholas Occurrentes. The "Zona Luce" project aims to provide education and promote the value of sports among prison officers and juvenile prison inmates while encouraging their integration into local sports clubs. We wholeheartedly support this outstanding initiative. #UEFA #Award #FIGC #ScholasOccurentes #EveryChildIsAChampion ??

???? ?? In Rome, FC Miracles gives hope to an entire unprivileged community using Calciosociale, or "social football", a revolutionary variant of the beautiful game. ?? Back in 2009, one visionary man, Massimo Vallati, came up with a crazy idea: build a joyful community centre in Corviale called “Campo dei Miracoli”. He built a place where children could grow up in peace, in a safe and healthy environment built around football. ? But not any kind of football: il Calciosociale, an inclusive version of the game, where everyone is welcome, with no discrimination. Read more about this amazing project we're proud to support: ?? https://lnkd.in/eMhzaAGW #EveryChildIsaChampion

?? "?Kylian, tú hablas espa?ol?" ? What a day for the kids from Amp Futbol Polska, Trenujbyciedobry and Hope for Mundial! ? This week, we invited children from the three associations to attend the #SuperCup match and even meet some of the Real Madrid C.F. and Atalanta B.C. players after their training session! Full story: ?? https://lnkd.in/dZ4wGRuW #Everychildisachampion

How the PLAY FOR EQUALITY project is breaking gender barriers and transforming PE classes, in Ukraine. In Ukraine, girls' participation in sports has been hindered by entrenched gender stereotypes and the impact of the ongoing war on children’s motivation and well-being. To tackle these challenges, the UEFA Foundation for Children and the Klitschko Foundation joined forces to launch the Play for Equality project. 150 physical education teachers from across Ukraine undertook a comprehensive 21-day online training program focused on promoting gender equality in sports. Upon completion, they initiated local projects that engaged approximately 14,000 children from nearly all regions of Ukraine. Furthermore, these teachers were equipped with sports gear to foster an inclusive sports environment. Following this, 20 exceptional physical education teachers attended a five-day training course at the Ruh Football Academy, with a specific emphasis on gender-sensitive approaches to physical education. The course featured workshops conducted by experts from the Volleyball Federation of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Football Association, the Handball Federation of Ukraine, the Cheerleading Federation of Ukraine, and the Field Hockey Federation of Ukraine, all with support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. As a result of these initiatives, the participants returned to their respective schools with a renewed appreciation for the idea that sports are for everyone, regardless of age, gender, fitness level, or access to equipment. UEFA Foundation believes that #EveryChildIsAChampion ?? For insight information ?? https://lnkd.in/eWsupTxS

? Football for Unity! Throughout #EURO2024?, UEFA Foundation for Children, Common Goal and partners have created football-focused social inclusion initiatives, funded by the European Commission to help the integration of young migrants and refugees across Europe: ?? https://lnkd.in/eJhwffkZ #FootbALL

?? #EURO2024 is for everyone! ?? Together with host cities and the German ministry of Interior, we are ensuring 10,000 local disadvantaged children can enjoy the action and see their heroes close up. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ePVuXFre #EveryChildIsAChampion